The 18ft monument will be unveiled by Lennon’s son Julian in October as part of the city’s two-month season of events to commemorate the former Beatle’s 70th birthday and 30th anniversary of his murder.

It is being commissioned by California-based organisation Global Peace Initiative and created by 19-year-old American artist Lauren Voiers to celebrate both the musician and his message of peace.

The metal monument will be presented to The Beatles Story, which came up with the idea of a landmark in Liverpool, and sited in a prominent city centre location yet to be agreed.

Beatles Story managing director Jerry Goldman said: “New York has the Imagine mosaic in Strawberry Fields and it attracts hoards of people.

“The Global Peace Initiative wants to create a peace monument on every continent and it was well down the road on its monument for Europe, which was designed to go to the site of the Berlin Wall.

“When I asked if it could design one for us, it said the concept it was working on could not be more appropriate for Liverpool and John Lennon.”

The monument will incorporate a white feather within its design after a request from 47-year-old Julian, who sees it as a symbol of both his dad’s spirit and of peace.

It is the second in a series of monuments commissioned by Global Peace Initiative.

Its aim is to spread artistic symbols of peace across the globe.

The first monument was presented to the President of Singapore on behalf of the people of Asia in 2005.

Organisers hope the Liverpool monument will act as a place of pilgrimage for people wanting to remember one of the world’s most influential icons, complementing the memorial in New York.

Artist Lauren said: “My art has always been influenced by the ideals of peace and harmony and it is a great honour to spread this message across Europe through my sculpture.

“The fact it will be located in Liverpool, the home town of such a music legend, is phenomenal.”

Ben Valenty, director of Global Peace Initiative, added: “We were searching for an appropriate location for the second Global Peace monument for some time.

“The creativity and history which surrounds Liverpool make it an ideal destination for Europe’s art piece.”